People claiming welfare benefits should build up ‘holiday rights’ before they can take off for a couple of weeks, according to MPs from the coalition VVD.

MPs are due to debate the welfare benefit system with junior social affairs minister Jetta Klijnsma later on Thursday.

VVD MP Sjoerd Potters says potential welfare claimants should first focus on applying for jobs, because they are most likely to be successful with early claims. The longer people claim welfare, the harder it is to find work.

Potters points out that people with a job or claiming unemployment benefit have to build up holiday entitlement over time. The current situation is not conducive to finding work, he said. ‘Particularly during the holiday period when employers are keen to take on temporary staff.’